Merry Christmas 2014

And this is Elsa Frozen  -- who was added to the mix this spring!  

This is Hunter at his last FAU game...with Ashtyn 

Taylor being SILLY on a Sunday - probably Easter ....

Merry Christmas to Friends and Family!  This year brought another MOVE and another family member.

Elsa belongs to Taylor and joined us in Spring.  Having a puppy around made us all appreciate Bella  - who is now 8...but the Patriarch of the  of the family at 56!!  Both dogs are a joy and we all agree Bella needed a friend to keep her young!

Hunter continues to play for FAU Men's Soccer and after this Spring...he will be      (on transcript) a Senior...with Junior status.    So he is eligible to play soccer for two more years -- unsure what he will decide come this Spring.

 He has been playing for so long - he debates back and forth.  Currently he helps Team Boca on the weekends with some of their camps and such, so he is still getting a little soccer in.   This past June, he and his team won the STATE CUP again for the  third year in a row.  We expected to travel to Louisiana or Kansas City again for Regionals but Brendan was blessed with a broken nose and he went with his team solo.  I sat in an operating waiting room as they set the broken nose and then some TLC began.  He got hit in the nose by another  basketball player.  Needless to say...Brendan has stated he won't be playing basketball with anyone other than his grandkids ever again.....

Hunter is doing well at college and working his way towards that Accounting Degree.   We traveled - not as much as previous years but we traveled to watch him play - often.  His roommates or Towne House mates state he is a good cook and keeps the kitchen tidy!    Who would of thought?  His sweet friend Ashtyn is a Senior at UCF and in Education  -- more teachers - bless her!

Taylor graduated last December.... and got a job at the High School within a week!  God's favor.  She continues to teach 11th grade American History and often....can be seen 'lesson planning' with her dad.   She is Varsity Coach for Girls Volleyball and certainly enjoys being their coach and mentor.  She moved out to be ON HER own this past  July and guess what... we thought that was such a good idea that we moved again - right next door.    She was not too happy with us for a good month or two but we are a convenient baby sitter  for Elsa when needed.  

Brendan and Hunter celebrating a WIN for Team Boca!  

Bella and Elsa

Our time together as a family comes in bits and pieces now...with the EMPTY nest going on.  Once Taylor moved out and Hunter was planning his move to a Boca Towne House...Brendan looked at me and stated, 'why are we paying rent for a BIG house when we are the only ones here?'.....So, in August, God provided a small cottage and we moved again.

I really am tired of moving and prayerfully we will build in 2015...I am asking God for a 'fall' program!   We have a lot in a beautiful area that we bought in 2011 when we sold our house - we just have not been able to get that building program started.  But... it will happen.  Now that we have lived in 4 different houses, we know EXACTLY what we want to build!  In Jesus name!  

   

      As I said, our family time is limited but awesome when it happens and often it is just at a restaurant or a soccer game but it is still filled with love, teasing, and laughter!  Amen.  God is so sweet and faithful.

Brendan and I continue to ride our Harley.   My brother flew down here last December and we took a few days  to ride around southern Florida - what a treasure.   We took another   week this summer and rented one with my brother  and his wife for 3 days. We  went from Janesville,  Wisconsin to Iowa, to Minnesota and followed the Mississippi River back into Wisconsin -- what a trip and beautiful ride.  I had never been to western Wisconsin - what a treat.  Now...the bucket list is noted that we want to do that same trip but in the 'fall' when the leaves are changing.  We stopped in this beautiful park in Iowa and enjoyed the local fare.

In April we were part of a group that formed a new church and we have been very busy working within that area and seeing where God is leading.

What joy ...and what hard work....  but serving and doing what we know God has ordained is pretty important to us.

Our next door  neighbors, are, the  new Creative Arts Minister and his wife...  that has been a TRIP.  He is from Australia and she is from Michigan.  We laugh as we are 'suite mates'.  Literally, we are sharing a part of the same old Florida cracker house.   If he, Dave,  has his music loud ...it is just like in college...we have to turn our tv up louder.  Seriously -- it is such a blessing.  

Most recently, through God's favor and the blessing of a dear friend..... the Creative Team has created a new CD...music.  Four songs.  I can't wait to purchase it and/or place a link up to hear the songs.  They are pretty cool.  Hillsong worth like material.... I am dead serious.  I am not partial -- even though I know the authors of the songs personally.  LOL.
With the opening of HIS Church - Its Jesus's Church...there have been many rewards of NEW friends and now extended family - with all three Pastors and the people within.  Truly -- they have a heart for God and to serve -- it is quite amazing.  There is no HIGH like a Jesus high...

Taylor and I at a recent wedding.  

Brendan and I celebrating our 27th Anniversary in Key West.  

This is Taylor and her friend Jake -- no he is NOT from State Farm!

 Ok, I think I have updated the info.    We  also enjoyed am extended  weekend  in Key West - we were spoiled and had a beautiful home right at the end of a point - what a view.  I now understand what they mean about Key West!  We actually stayed on Little Torch Key and enjoyed several of the  keys -- what a blessing.

 And...we are still going to try and get a few more Harley trips in yet before the end of the year....that can happen when you live in Florida - I felt bad for my sister as she sat in Lambeau Field at the Packer Game today and it was ..um...9 degrees....and it was 72 here!   It is actually colder in our cottage at times.... Brendan keeps the air set at 70!


And as I end this letter.... as the last photo says - the most secure place to be in this world is in the family of God, our prayer is that Jesus is the reason for the season within your home and may God bless you in a mighty way in 2015.  We are still in Okeechobee...we can easily meet you in Orlando if you are visiting or we travel other places too.... after this 'house' is built I can offer a room -- LOL!

Until then, I can only offer a love seat sofa /couch.   Or, I will offer my sister's house - she has a beautiful spot, extra room and a GORGEOUS pool!!   ( its heated! )  My place...is a bit small -- poor Hunter has to sleep on the floor or the Lazy Boy when he visits... as we are really in a cottage for now  -- but it is the perfect place for us both right now.

 We laugh - it is like being in our first apartment back in Whitewater - and we are enjoying the life we have been blessed with  at this season of our lives -- and with THAT expectancy -- God wins.  Amen.

Michelle  and Brendan too....